Excitement!
As if there was not enough going on – the new – SECOND – Jonas-featuring Rolling Stone is coming. It’s pretty much HERE.
Brace yourselves – non-discerning types will obviously have the reaction of “MEN?! They aren’t MEN” to the cover copy – but in my opinion the article tone is decidedly about the transitional period they are embarking on between these two phases – and they are directly addressing this: frankly, bluntly…defiantly? It wouldn’t be the first time (…even today!) we had surprised ourselves by using this last word to describe the Jonas stand on the cultural landscape…
The online teaser piece features a couple straight-talking quotes from the Boys:
Says Kevin:
I would honestly say to anybody, if you were in a band like us, you would take advantage of those platforms too. It’s easy for people to say, ‘No, I’m a real rock & roller,’ but I think you do what you’ve got to do.
Says Joe:
Personally, I’m not in the band to say, ‘Hey, you need to respect us, take us seriously,’ because that’s kind of stupid…We’re doing it because we love it, and we don’t care what age group we attract. If they like our music, they like our music, and if they don’t, fine. We don’t need you [to] like our music.
Look at more photo shoot outtakes here, take in the breathtaking Rolling Stone Jonas Brothers Ground Zero over here – it’s got videos and extras galore.
What do you think? Do you like the cover?! And how do you feel about their quotes?
Let us know, below!
cpaig
mememoi
coolmom823
Hell yeah!
I always want to read quotes in context before I am completely sure, but I like this bluntness.
Are they responding to charges of making obeisance to the Mouse King? Or could JB be getting tired of getting dissed for…what? Not being like everyone else? Rebelling against raunch? Not ingesting alcohol or chemicals? Not sleeping around? The list of their apparent crimes is so long, and their apparent threat to the sanctity of Rock and Roll so great where does one begin?
Is anyone else heartily sick of the pretentiousness of the music mavens? It’s music, people. You’re not curing cancer here!
As a side note, I do like the cover, but am I being overly sensitive to think that Kevin is pushed a little too far to the back?
I thought the same thing about Kevin when I first saw it but when you watch them shooting it you can see he’s right there in all the shots so it’s odd that he looks so far back on the cover.
Seriously, I do not know how these guys keep getting better looking all the time.
Yeah for them being themselves, for transitioning (or trying to transition)… I think they’re succeeding. We’ll see what the rest of the world says eventually. In the meantime, WDTFTW!
They are gorgeous of course, but in all honesty I’m not as crazy over the cover as the first one. I see it daily in my daughter’s room (just went and looked at it, as a matter of fact…;) ) Coolmom, Kevin’s positioning was the first thing that stood out to me, and I want him to look straight ahead!
Can’t wait to read this article! Makes me wonder just how blunt they will be. YAY for them!
I like the cover a lot but the first one was just so exciting I’d have to say I like it better. I do love Nick’s jacket! And I agree about Kevin but I also think it’s the copy/words that also help to make it seem like he’s pushed out a bit.
I almost wish they’d gone with the shots of them in suits and ties to make it truly different
And I can’t wait to read the full article.
I agree, merry. The shots with them in the suits would’ve fit the headline better. Besides, it’s a lot more drool-worthy.
Yeah, I am not as crazy about it as the first cover either. But they do look perfectly nice.
What is sort of offputting about it is that they seemed to have photographed them each separately and then photoshopped them together. (Not sure if that is what happened but that is the effect.) It makes it feel less natural, like they are on different planes and, yes, the graphic designer decided to put Kevin in a receded position, which is lame.
I love Joe so much, he’s undeniably my favorite, but it’s not necessary that he be pushed so far forward as well as being in his (natural) central position. I just don’t think it’s an accurate representation of the band structure…I guess they figure he will sell more magazines being lightning rod that he is (again I love him but I am not positive this is true)?
The greatest thing about the last cover was that even though Joe was dominant in the photo, they were all intertwined with each other, there was a push and pull, which is more how they operate. There was that meaning behind it. You know?
This one’s just less well thought out from that perspective. Still. Purdy.
yeah..it’s tough because when Joe is your favorite there are obvious reasons why but when you’re a super fan it’s more about who he is and what he says and how he performs.
But I always feel a bit guilty when I see him front and center because I do think he is the most commercial and certainly everyone I know who has just a casual interest in the band (because they know me) is always going on about how gorgeous he is.
But I’m not sure anyone in Rolling Stone’s core audience feels that way..
So a great cover with what will surely be a great article but just not as much of a thrill as last year’s.
And of course I love their quotes and can NOT wait to read this story.
Joe, as always, manages to tread this weird fine line between the surly “I don’t give a crap what you think of me, I don’t need your approval” and the cuddly “I love what I do, and anyone who appreciates it”…panda, panda, panda.
And our Kevin is so practical and honest and unpretentious about it.
Love them!
Love, love, love Joe’s quote. I’ve thought all along one of them should say just what he said – “if you like us, great, if not, move on, shut the hell up and let our fans enjoy us” – is basically what he’s saying. And nobody wears a plain white tee like Joe….just sayin’.
After looking over the other cover photos, I think I like this one better than the one they chose:
http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/28818569/jonas_brothers_rolling_stone_cove/photo/5
I like the suits, what can I say?
exactly what I said….love that one!!
Um….have you all seen pic #3 from the outtakes? I’m speechless…
Oh yeah, I saw it…
That one’s unbelievable! Geeze, Nick…
Good Lord!
Yeah, I’m strongly reminded of those stills of Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire.
I like to think of myself as a fan on ‘middle ground’, and I’ve already started to notice that people my age are really responding quite well to the new cd. I actually talked to someone yesterday who said ‘I really like their new cd, but until they aren’t Disney anymore I’ll have a hard time taking them seriously’.
I can see where they are coming from, and to be completely honest, as long as they keep producing amazing music, I don’t care who their ‘target audience’ is.
I’m wondering if they have a 3-year or 3-cd deal with Disney. Either way, it would be coming to an end soon…is the handwriting on the wall?
Is JB setting the stage for their exit from the Disney stable?
It makes me wonder, coolmom. I wonder if they’ll continue to be on the Hollywood label but maybe not so much Disney- they probably won’t sign a deal that includes tv or movies, or anything else on the Disney Channel for that matter. Doesn’t Hollywood have several artists on their label that have nothing to do with the Disney Channel itself?
Does that even make sense? LOL.
It makes sense!
It is sad that the musical talent associated with Disney runs the gamut from the sublime (JB) to the ridiculous (Mitchell Musso, et. al.).
I gotcha Molly. I think that they will stay with Hollywood Records at least for the foreseeable future. They seem incredibly happy there and Hollywood does seem to be giving them the creative freedom that they may not get elsewhere.
I think staying on Hollywood would also serve to satisfy the folks at Disney in that the boys will still be connected in some way to Disney once they move on from the Disney Channel.
True, mollyanne. Surprisingly enough, they have the Plain White T’s and Atreyu, which is a hardcore metal band. And I do kind of see them parting ways with Hollywood in the near future…perhaps once the world tour is over? Can anyone guess which label would give their first unborn child to sign them? I’m banking on the fact that they might just release albums under their own label.
I’m not a big fan of the cover either. I feel like because it is Rolling Stone they should have done something more creative with them. This cover is somewhat boring.
I think the fact that RS chose to play up Joe’s “Front Man” status is just typical RS for you. I have a subscription but still have some serious issues with the magazine. I’m still pretty shocked that RS put them on the cover twice in one year…
What I think is interesting is that it’s not just with the positioning but Joe is made to stand out down to their clothes (Joe just in white, Kevin and Nick and white and brown). As mememoi said, Joe does typically hang out in between his brothers but by pushing him out front like RS did it almost makes Joe look awkwardly large next to his brothers. And now that I’m examining it closer, they do look like their positions could be photoshopped.
Oh well. I’m excited to see the accompanying article shots and the quotes have got me super excited about the article. I thought Kevin’s quote was especially telling.
thanks Mae.. if you read my earlier post I was wondering how Rolling Stone’s core audience felt about it all.
We do know that they “sign off” on everything so they must have been ok with it but I would be really upset if it was actually 3 separate pictures photoshopped. Pretty lame when there are so many incredible photos of them.
If anyone wants to cheat before the magazine hits newstands, JonasHQ has scans of the article up.
It is an incredibly good read. I can’t wait to read you guys’ thoughts.
Oooh…I hope they have it on the stands today at the local happy Harry’s/Walgreens!!!
When will it hit the stands?
I am just gonna leave my feelings, as always a Kevin girl, at this—I am pissed as hell that Kevin is once AGAIN made to look inferior to his brothers.
Wow. How can they be more gorgeous with each photoshoot? However, I like the last cover better. It ws edgier and did a better job of portraying them and their connection to each other. That said; I know it took a lot of heat from people who found it to be “homoerotic.” People are crazy. I do think Kevin is pushed too far back in this new one and looks a lot smaller than his brothers. Joe being out front as he is kind of contradicts what I have been speculating may be going on with the band. This album and tour feel like an end of sorts. They are both so big, larger than life, and I have to wonder what the boys have in mind to do next. I have gotten the feeling that Nick is going to step into the front man role pretty soon and that Joe and Kevin are going to be okay with that. I wouldn’t be surprised if they take a longer break after 2009 to pursue some of their individual interests. Kevin wants a family. Nick wants to go to college. Joe wants to act. I don’t know if the timing would be good or bad, considering where they are positioned now. I feel like a conspiracy theorist, reading too much into little bitty clues and interview subtext.
Chicken Little aside, I am so excited to read the full article. I am so glad that they have been so honest and blunt lately. They really are growing up and I am happy to see them taking questions head-on rather than politely evading.
I love your Chicken Littling. & I totally hear you on all these counts…
I am so glad to see someone else “Chicken Littling”! I find myself doing that so much with them. I agree with your perception, for a lot of reasons. Hey- you, me, a laptop and a few hours at Starbucks, we’d have it ALL figured out. LOL !
It’s a date! I want an excuse to go visit Seattle. I miss it so much!
They do look gorgeous in the cover… But I really like the picture Coolmom linked to, I think that one would have made an awesome cover!!
The behind the scenes video is adorable. And I absolutely loooove the article! Can’t wait to get a copy of the magazine. It’ll probably be a couple of weeks before the issue hits the stands here.
Kevin looks amazing. They could have used this photo of him in the People sexiest issue. Hubba! Hubba!
However, overall, I find the cover boring, especially after Adam Lambert with the snake. It looks photoshopped and their expressions don’t match.
I LOVE Joe (hence my username) but I am NOT feeling that hat on him OR on Kevin in one of the outtakes. But Nick in that laid back position is making a lot of legal-age girls circling September 16th 2010 on their calendars. BTW, have you all heard of Cagematch 2010?
Oh yes, I’ve heard of it, LOL!
I am not sure anyone likes that hat. Anyone?
Funniest headlineregarding this I’ve seen was “Best Week Ever” with ‘Jonas Brothers Remake Newsies on the Cover of Rolling Stone!” Oh, how I LOLed.
Newsies! LOL!
Newsies-ha! I remember seeing in the theater when it came out and being mystified when I discovered it was a musical. LOL, I still don’t know how that happened.
me – I like the hat! I associate it with a photoshoot from 2 years ago. I liked it then and I like it now but it seems “been there done that.” Still he looks very cute in it.
I like Joe’s and NIck’s facial expressions but I would rather Kevin’s be more focused forward and more serious instead of “hot.”
I was just skimming through some commentary on JONASHQ.org, and happened on remarks related to this cover. Interestingly enough two (count them!) MALE fans said that they like the second RS cover better than the last one.
I believe the quote was: “I’m a dude and this cover is slightly less…awkward than the last one.” A valid observation, surely. And interesting to note that JB has at least two male fans committed enough to be posting to fan boards with some regularity.
Perhaps credability with just this sort of demographic was the the rationale behind this cover layout?
I think the cover is… underwhelming. It’s nothing I haven’t seen the JB do plenty of times, and better. Also, Kevin is kinda hidden, and I just don’t like the way that makes me feel.
Like everyone else here, I am betting the article will be a great read, even though I’m reluctant to read it. Although I know it’s inevitable that the boys grow into men, a part of me finds it difficult to bear witness to the process. The beautiful artlessness of youth that was so fun to watch has to make way for maturity, and I’ll miss it. Of course, I’m confident they will remain their charming, fun-loving, grounded, and respectful selves, but… still…
Underwhelming is good. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but yes, it does indeed looked blandly photoshopped. The suit pics were so much better.
Lol, I suppose I say all of the above as a way of congratulating you for choosing such a fitting title for the post, meme.
LOL, thank you!
And it’s a play on the Boys II Men song, too….see what I did there, everybody?!
/sad self-congratulation
Oh, and gityofunon, I also totally agree that it is a wistful process to see them growing out of their “infancy” as a band. I think I am more excited for the future than sad for the past (so much YouTube & music files to keep the memories) but of course I do feel that loss.
For goodness sake I can remember welling up a little the first time Joe was photographed with stubble, so yeah. LOL.
Yeah, I’m trying to comfort myself with the belief that they really are building themselves a rich rock ‘n’ roll legacy (as opposed to mourning the gleefully nonsensical radio podcasts of the past), but I can be stubborn. Sigh.
And my “Joe-stubble” moment came when I was watching that “You Decide” YouTube video. I seriously gasped when I saw Nick at the drums in those shades and black shirt… with those arrrrrmssss. One girl appropriately wrote “HOLY PUBERTY, Nick!” I gave her comment a thumbs up.
It’s bittersweet, isn’t it Revelers?
“The beautiful artlessness of youth that was so fun to watch has to make way for maturity, and I’ll miss it.”
I couldn’t possibly say it any better, so I’ll let it stand.
LOL, Coolmom! That is very interesting indeed! Huge kudos to the male fans out there. Perhaps they will find our little corner of the Jonasphere one day? (well, umm, that could get a little awkward for them, too!
)
Gityo – I know exactly where you are coming from. There are times when I wish I could magically arrange for them to stay like this forever. But on the other hand, it is bittersweet, because with so many fans in their same general age range, it’s like they’re all…growing up together. I often tell my daughter how lucky she is to be about Nick’s age because she will be able to follow them throughout their lives, watching them grow and change and live because really, they’ll never be out of the spotlight.
Just a couple of thoughts on the complete article:
It seems to me from the article, that there is definitely a new PR direction for the group. And Nick is certainly being played up as the “musical prodigy” who is going to drive the group to credibility. Of course, you’ve got to give Nick his due, and I was thrilled to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff Kevin does acknowledged. That said, I honestly felt she gave short shrift to Joe. I’m going to go out on a limb and say I’ll bet that she didn’t see them perform, because I can’t imagine anyone seeing Joe perform who would be as dismissive of him as she was.
“guileless Ashton Kutcher-style” (I don’t know well enough to judge – is this good or not?)
“sounding like a guy who landed on the moon before he got his pilot’s license”
“Defensive”
“odd Jonas out, left to gab with the backing band or play with his iPhone while his brothers run the show”
Maybe she’s one of those women who don’t trust beautiful men on principal. Or maybe a Taylor Swift fan?
Things I liked were all the brotherly banter that was captured well, and describing how they play and unwind. This seemed to be aimed at upping their “guy” quotient (sports, competitive etc.)
It was also made clear that they are in charge of their career and in control of all decisions.
Also a lot more sense of how the music gets made, at least by Nick.
we just got it today and I need to read it but I wanted to come here and see if there was still a good discussion and of course there is.
I am really not liking the cover…they seem to be wearing a ton of make-up. so odd.
Anyway, the picture of Nick on his birthday with Elvis is certainly worth the price alone. And it was taken in their small-ish Toluca Lake house right before they moved into the 2 gated homes in Texas and Bel air and it really just captures the moment in time so nicely.
I agree with you, Coolmom. They did seem to put Joe in the background with the article. (Odd because he was in the forefront on the cover.) I absolutely love Nick and feel that he is a musical prodigy. The writer seemed to really build Nick up in the article (as well as giving Kevin props for his creativity for the set). In the beginning of the magazine, the editor mentions that he’s betting that Nick has “pure talent” to fall back on when the JB craze is over, like Justin Timberlake does. Having matched Nick with Elvis Costello, and I understand having Nick be part of some forum a few months ago, Rolling Stone seems to have a very favorable view of Nick. On the whole I didn’t think the article was that bad. In fact, I think it showed respect to the boys.
You’re right about showing respect, Jan, that’s why I thought the relative lack of respect shown to Joe was surprising.
I also agree that RS is really supportive of Nick. The forum that Nick was part of was a discussion of various nominees for the Grammys and who should win, etc. It was interesting, and he did a great job, natch!
Nick is clearly a prodigy, and I’m glad that RS recognizes that. But I just didn’t feel that the writer presented Joe fairly.
I haven’t had time to chime in, but I absolutely agree with you, Coolmom. Esp. as a massive Joe-fan.
Joe was kind of a void in the piece. I wonder if it isn’t the “shyness” a lot of journalists are noting in him, they just aren’t getting as strong a sense of his capabilities and importance to the group because he’s not been in a sharing mood or something?
It’s a shame. He seems the least comfortable of the three with “selling”, which I appreciate, but if you don’t toot your own horn, who’s going to? Instead, he seemed to opt for a more straightforward admission of his misgivings and concerns about his role in the band, which I thought was really cool, but was sort of left hanging out there in the article, making him seem insecure, with no commentary from the writer to support or decry his comments. Which ended up coming off somewhat damning (well like you said…like she had no real firm opinion on him, which is weird and feels negative).
And I really loved Greg’s quote on Nick’s illness forcing Joe to step out of his shadow – that was something new to me and, I thought, quite profound. Think how very far he’s come…and how it took Nick’s illness to make that happen…it’s fascinating.
I also think a more discerning writer would be able to convey how crucial Joe has been to the success of the band, how valuable his skills, and how compelling the arc of the development of his talents in comparison to his brothers. I personally don’t think they’d be as big as they are without whatever happened when Joe’s personality came into contact with the wider world. (I know he is the reason I am a fan, anyway.)
Kevin is so enthusiastic and solid. Nick is such a clear prodigy in so many ways. But Joe, to me, has always been the surprise and revelation…even after all this time of watching them pretty closely, he can still surprise and impress me in ways I don’t expect.
He’s not yet fully realized as a talent or fully understood or appreciated, probably not even by the team or by himself…but I think the public can clearly see and feel that *it* in him and responds to it. And I am convinced it’s not just cuz he’s pretty. His potential as a vocalist and who knows what else he applies himself to seems pretty huge to me.
I get it with Rolling Stone…they, like most musical onlookers these days, skew the bulk of their respect towards the perceived auteur types. But I think that can be misguided. There is sometimes something else at play in music and performance…I think people ignore & denigrate that at their own risk. Some of our best musical talents are not the primary writers and composers, they are the great interpreters.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the article very much!